Evaluation of Rubella Immunity in Women before Marriage and Pregnancy in Isfahan During 1997-2000

Abstract

Background: Congenital Rubella syndrome is a public health problem in many developing countries which has not yet been sufficiently put into account. There is an urgent need for collecting appropriate data to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a potential global Rubella control program. This study was conducted to determine susceptibility to Rubella in women who are going to marry or consult for pregnancy. Methods: This study began in 1997 and ended in 2000. The study was analytic descriptive and prospective. Eight hundred and thirty eight women who referred for premarriage tests or counselling for conception were included. According to antibody levels, test results were reported as immune and non-immune (susceptible) for every individual. Results: Among 838 cases, 253 women (30.1% ) were non-immune (susceptible) and 585 women (69.9%) were immune. The educational status of the two groups were recorded. Analysis of data showed that the higher the educational level (62.2% for University degree holder), the lower the immunity against Rubella would be (75.2% for unfinished high school individuals). Furthermore, immunity in the younger group was higher (73.9% in <20 years) than in the older group(61% in >30 years). Conclusion: More than one third of pre marriage and pre conceptional women were non-immune (susceptible) to Rubella, so health providers should be aware of Rubella prevention and control in childbearing age via screening and vaccination. Immunity against Rubella can vary over time and the socioeconomic status is believed to play an important role in the level of immunity.
Keywords: Congenital Rubella Syndrome, Rubella immunity, Rubella non-immunity.